The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-10-11


here to my ofice-no money, NJ
horse. Now, how much for No. l,
gen'lmen, smart little cob" etc.
They were rather a poor lot of cattle,
and went cheap. Cobs, from SO to
$40, and horses from $50 to $50.
Every man seems to own horse
indeed, riding is a necessity, as the
roads outside the town are in shock
ing bad state The women ride
straddle legged, like men.
The Hawaiian Islands, of which
Honolulu is the capital, is an indie
/ pendent kingdom The King, who
used to be simply a Government clerk,
is now mighty potentate enjoying
the title of Kalakaua l., but is known
to everyone as King Calico. He has
a palace, numerous ministers and
counsellors, and has salary of
$4,000 per annum. It was owing to
British and American influence that
he gained the throne, but no sooner
was he safely there than he dismissed
all his white officials and surrounded
himself with others of his own color.
If one might believe the local news
paper, edited by an American, the
country is fast going to the dogs.
| Commerce is taxed to the utmost to
maintain lot of lazy officials, and
the country is heavily in debt, with
out hope of getting out of it. These
things don't trouble the natives, who
enjoy life under genial sky, and
who have soil so rich that it pro-
duces the necessaries of life in abund
ance with little or no exertion. They
certainly carry out the Scriptural in
junction and take no thought for
the morrow" In looking at these
people strong and healthy, with few
wants and fewer cares-chattering
and laughing in the sunshine, the
thought would arise: Has civilization
done much for us? Are the toiling
millions in Britain, who work hard
six days a week, live in an impure
atmosphere, and get a holiday once
in three months, so much better off
under Queen Victoria's benefcent
rule than the half-civilized kanakas
under King Calico? Your readers
who have survived the Edinburgh
east winds can think the matter out
quietly.
John Chinaman has got a good
foothold in Honolulu, and does most
of the work He raises fruit, vegeta-
bles, and poultry, and does all the
washing and tailoring for the COM
munity. The wholesale business,
banks, and mercantile agencies are in
the hands of Americans and Euro
peans. In a single street one may
read signboards in English, Spanish,
Chinese, and Hawaiian. American
houses have the bulk of the foreign
trade in their hands. This is owing
partly to the geographical position of
the islands, and partly to the reel
procity treaty concluded between the
two Governments. King Calico is
not Free-trader by conviction He
knew that Great Britain would take
his produce free whether he admit
ted British goods into his kingdom
or not, and so we still pay heavy
duties. The Americans who charged
duty on his produce saw a chance of
monopolising the trade of Hawaii, if
they could induce the King to adopt
reciprocal Free-trade with them. This
has been done, with the result that
American goods are imported at
Honolulu free, while British goods
are almost crushed out owing to the
heavy duties. The same tactics are
at work to bring about a reciprocity
treaty between the United States and
Canada, but for the honor of Brit
ish colony it is to be hoped they will
not prevail
The principal productions of the
Hawaiian Islands are sugar and ban.
anas. OF the former, l08,0O0 tons
were raised last year, and it is ex-
pected that an equal amount will be
raised this. There are many Scots
men employed here as managers on
sugar estates, one of whom has taken
out patents for improved crushing
machinery. These machines were
made in Glasgow, and are now work
ing with satisfactory results. Two
Scotsmen came on board with us who
We're bound to their native land for a
holiday One of them was high off
cial under the last Government, and
thinks that under the present spend
thrift King the country viii be bank
rupt in a few years The climate
these men declare to be the finest in
the world. 1t is well watered, has no
winter, no fevers or ague, and, in
deed, might be an earthly Paradise,
but-and there is a but in a nations
as in a mans lot-there is the scourge
of leprosy. 1t is chiefly confined to
the natives, but whites are OCCASION
ally attacked. Every effort has been
made to find a cure for it, but with
out avail. When native is attacked
he tries to hide it as long as possible,
for as soon as it is discovered in him
he is sent to an island set apart for
lepers. and lives there at Government
expense until he dies. We did nos
visit the island althouph any ono &c